One super food

California sweetpotatoes are the best low-fat, high-nutrient bang for your caloric buck.

NUTRIENT RICH

California sweetpotatoes are a designated superfood. According the Oxford Dictionary, that means they’re “a nutrient-rich food considered to be especially beneficial for health and well-being.”

And it’s no surprise. California sweetpotatoes have over 80 nutrients. They’re high in vitamin B6, vitamin A, carotene, and potassium. They’re rich in antioxidant vitamins C and E. And they’re a great source of manganese and dietary fiber.

On a per-acre basis, California sweetpotatoes are the most nutrient-dense of any commercially grown food. Pretty cool, right?

fiber-licious

If you’re interested in fiber, you’ll be interested in sweetpotatoes. They have about twice as much fiber as white potatoes.

What’s so good about that? Eating foods rich in fiber may reduce the risk of heart disease and some types of cancer, as well as simply helping you feel satisfied at the end of a meal. Fiber also helps burn calories more slowly and efficiently.

Nutrition facts

One medium sweetpotato has:

Only 130 calories

0 fat

0 cholesterol

2g protein

4g fiber (a good source)

32g carbohydrates

30mg vitamin C (a good source)

26081.9 IU vitamin A (more than a whole day’s worth)

265mg potassium

29g calcium

17mg sodium

18mcg folate

A total of over 80 nutrients

Source: National Agricultural Library, part of the Agricultural Research Service of the US Department of Agriculture.

The California Sweetpotato Council is a voluntary membership organization founded in 1977. Our main objective is to develop policies and programs that enhance the sweetpotato industry in California. For more information contact us.